Muse
The biggest band at the festival this year, Muse, bring their 2001 album ‘Origin Of Symmetry’ to Leeds for its 10th anniverary, which should make their headline set well worth a watch. This should be a unique chance to see the band reel out some rare album tracks, which may never be played live again. This set, followed by a greatest hits set is set to provide a great end to the first full day of music.
Elbow
Having played a sub-headline slot at this year’s Glastonbury, Elbow have shown they can mix it with the biggest and best. This year’s ‘Build A Rocket Boys!’ kept up the quality we’ve come to expect from Elbow albums and they’re bound to blow people away with their live performance. Expect some real passion and huge singalongs.
Interpol
I’ve never seen Interpol live so I can’t comment on their live performance but they’ve got a great back catalogue of songs like ‘Evil’, ‘Barricade’, ‘Slow Hands’ and so on. Very much looking forward to seeing them start what should be a brilliant Friday night Main Stage run of themselves, Elbow and Muse.
The View
This will be my first time seeing Scotland’s best young band outside of Scotland. Somehow I doubt it’ll be the same as seeing them at T In The Park but they’re a great live act and really get a crowd going so there’s no way I’d miss out on them. Third album ‘Bread And Circuses’ upped their game and their set will be packed with hits.
Frank Turner
This could well be the highlight of Friday. Frank Turner is easily one of the best songwriters in the world and my favourite act playing this day. Likely to mix his hits with tracks from his last excellent album ‘England Keep My Bones’ Frank should provide an unmissable show on the Main Stage.
Chapel Club
One of the best new bands of 2010, Chapel Club are a great live band. Having seen them four times I can safely say they’ve got what it takes to move on to the next level, with their huge sound and tender lyrics. The band can easily jump between fast, exciting songs and slower, atmospheric tracks.
Peter Doherty
One of the most talented songwriters of his, or any, generation. Pete’s fantastic live, whether it be solo or with a band and will be a fantastic end to the Festival Republic Stage’s Friday night. This is a killer of a clash with Muse, but whichever of these two you go to you’ll have a great night. For anyone who hasn’t seen Pete live (I’ve seen him about seven times), get yourself along!
Viva Brother
Viva Brother get a lot of stick in the press and from music fans but they’ve always seemed like decent guys on their Facebook to me and they’ve got some real singalong tunes. Sadly, they’ll probably be on the same time as Elbow but I’m sure they’ll be great live and get the crowd properly going.
Panic! At The Disco
A lot of people won’t have forgotten Panic!’s previous bottling incident at Reading but I’m hoping nothing like that will happen this year. I’ve not really listened to them for a few years but I’m looking forward to catching them play some of their older hits which I used to love.
Fighting Fiction
I had never heard of Fighting Fiction before the line-up was announced but I like to listen to as many bands as possible after it comes out and these guys really stood out. Reminiscent of Frank Turner, which can only be a good thing, I’m definitely going to catch them opening the Lock Up Stage with their punky/singalong style.
Honourable mentions:
Spy Catcher
Flogging Molly
Descendents
Twin Atlantic
Young Legionaire
Best of Friday’s comedy:
Mark Thomas
Craig Campbell
Lee Nelson
Mumblings And Ramblings 